2026 was South’s second year in a row hosting the Michigan School Vocal Music Association’s (MSVMA) Choral Fest, where many high school choirs gather and perform for judges, who give the choirs scores and feedback.
Choral Fest is less about competition and more about doing your best. Carolyn Gross, South’s choral director, finds the competition a motivator for students involved.
“All of the schools in Detroit are included, all of the Grosse Pointe schools, Ferndale and Redford district,” Gross said. “It’s really interesting, because we play other schools in athletics, and we’re like actively cheering against them. The cool thing about this is, we don’t have to wish for another school to do bad.”
South’s concert choir, Pointe Singers (varsity choir), and the South Singers (JV choir) brought in impressive scores this year. Gross believes that these scores were well-earned.
“All three choirs take turns to sing two songs that are contrasting. After, we have to sight-sing a piece of music; 15 minutes to sing five different songs we’ve never seen,” Gross said. “You can get a maximum of 120 points. We got a 107, a 115 and a 115, really high scores. All three choirs qualified to go to the state level.”
As much as Choral Fest seems more school-organized, it’s more of a group effort. Cat Showalter ’28, who’s part of the South Singers, had a larger role in participation as she helped run the event.
“[The choirs] wait their turn, and somebody like me, a runner, comes and gets them with their papers and takes them to the practice room for 15 minutes of practice,” Showalter said. “Then we give them a three-minute warning to take them to sight-reading.”
Showalter believes that the overall experience is pleasant because it gives her space to be herself. She says it’s a good way to get to know other people and have fun with the event in a sociable way.
“It’s a really nice experience because there are so many people around that I can get to know,” Showalter said. “I don’t have to be secluded or quiet, I can be my true self, there’s no repercussions.”
Although making connections is important, the practice that goes into it can be overwhelming. Veronica Jones ’26 believes the preparation doesn’t leave the choirs much time to socialize.
“I think with singing in different languages, and because [Choral Fest] is around the same time as Solo and Ensemble, we learn so much, it does get a bit overwhelming,” Jones said. “We don’t really get time to talk to other schools because we’re so busy practicing, especially when we have to get to class afterwards.”
For people planning to follow a career in music/show like Jones, Choral Fest is an opportunity to practice auditioning. Not only is it beneficial for students, but for host schools like South, creating welcoming environments.
“It’s always good to have a judge watching you and so you can work on your face and stage presence as well as what you’re actually singing,” Jones said. “I think that it is also beneficial for South, because we can show that we’re a hospitable environment.”
Choral Fest can be an opportunity for those passionate about the subject to strengthen relationships and performance.
“Get out of your comfort zone a little,” Showalter said. “Help yourself become more artistic and passionate. Get jiggy with it.”
